One, drunk driving does not discriminate. Families, friends, survivors and victims of drunk driving come in all shapes, sizes and colors. All walks of life are represented here. Drunk driving is not some back alley, secret, stigmatized issue that only effects a certain group of people and therefore is ignored by others. No...it can, and does, impact everyone.
This horrible act, drunk driving, dictates. It unwittingly dictates which individuals will enter into a group of fellow survivors and this group is like no other. We are actually quite a pitiful sight...with so much discernable pain, easy for even the most casual observer to see. We cry. Some of us are angry. But above all, we are broken. Broken hearted, broken in spirit, broken in life. Some have repaired the brokeness to a certain degree while others wear their's on their sleeves...open, raw, obvious.
Drunk driving also devastates. I listened last night with tears rolling down my face as a survivor recalled her accident and the life she has "lived" for the two years since it took place. She spoke of the mulitude of broken bones in her body, most of which are now replaced with metal rods. She spoke of the inordinate amount of time and energy she has had to dedicate to learning how to walk again, talk again. She has endured 32 surgeries...and isn't done yet. And I sat there in my church pew and thought..."Did God spare my Lauren from all of this by taking her home to His side swiftly?" While another part of me wished that could have been my Lauren up there talking to the crowd. Last night's speaker said it perfectly when she informed the crowd that although she survived, she lost her "life" the night of her accident. And it drastically changed the life of her family and friends, forever.
These are the reasons we must designate a safe driver every time we consider getting behind the wheel after drinking. Drunk driving is not some disease for which researchers are feverishly working to identify a cure. There is a cure...don't do it! Call a cab, call the many programs available through organizations like AAA. Call a friend, call a family member...call ME! Just don't get on the road.
In order to reduce the injuries and fatalities caused by drunk driving, we all must continue to disseminate the message. Talk to others about options to ensure everyone arrives home safely. Increase training of vendors and stress the important role they play in saving lives. They cannot continue to serve alcohol to inebriated patrons and look the other way as they leave. Encourage them to get a ride.
If we all stick together, we can save lives. We will always remember those who have already suffered great loss. But to create a world where this group of ecclectic, sorrowful mouners slowly becomes smaller over time because no new "members" are required to join...that would be a wonderful place to be.
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